Hog feeder



Aug. 12, 1930. J, J, RICKEY ET AL HOG FEEDER Filed March 2, 1928 Flk Patented Aug. 12, 1930 fiTATEES FATENT @FFEQR JESSE J. EICKEY AND BAY W. FRANKLIN, 0F CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ASSIGNORS TO HALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

HOG FEEDER Application filed March 2,

This invention relates to automatic stockfeeding apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus as applied to the feeding of swine.

The object of the invention is to improve the feed-trough so as to limit the spilling of feed over the edge by the movement of the hogs snout; to provide an improved covering for the trough to exclude rain and snow, and also prevent encroachment by one feeder on the space of another; and to facilitate cleaning of the trough by a provision for holding the covers in an upstanding position while the trough is cleaned.

The invention is fully disclosed in the description and claims following, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a hog-feeder embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view, in the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows in perspective one of the covers, a flap for the interspace, and a rod on which both parts are hung.

In'the drawing, the numeral 5 denotes the main feed-box, which is seen to flare outwardly and downwardly, so as to facilitate descent of the feed deposited therein. It is provided with a pitched roof 6, preferably hinged at 7, so that one side may be lifted to admit the feed material. The bottom 8, it will be understood, is pitched both ways from the middle so as to carry the feed by gravity toward the troughs 9 disposed at opposite sides of the feeder. All of these parts are of fa miliar construction, and call for no special description.

The outer portion of the trough is a vertical board 10, over the upper edge of which the hogs jaws are thrust in taking food. To prevent waste of feed by the backward dragging action of the hogs jowl as he lurches back and forth in feeding, this edge of the trough is provided with an inturned lip 11 formed as a crimp in a sheet metal lining for the trough. The folded metal presents a rounded edge which does not cut or injure the animals jaws, but serves as a scraper to remove loose feed material adhering to them.

1928. Serial No. 258,608.

The metal lining gives durability to the trough, facilitates cleaning of the same, and prevents the impregnation of the wooden bottom of the trough with foul or unsanitary matter. The trough itself is unbroken by partitions from end to end, so as to be easily cleaned, but is effectually divided into inclividual stalls by separate covers 12, which, with their mounting will now be described.

As will be seen, the ends of the troughs incline upwardly and backwardly, and a corresponding pitch is given to the covers. In practice these are formed of galvanized sheet steel, and rolled at 13 and 14-. The former roll, when the cover is in normal position, overhangs the edge of the trough, and affords a smooth and convenient means whereby the hog may lift the cover with his snout, and may thus thrust his head thereunder and, get access to the trough. Partly for strength and partly to make a smooth edge which will not cut or abrade the sides of the hogs jaws, the sides of the covers are turned over to form beads 15. The beads also serve to confine rain falling on the covers within the lateral bounds of the covers and cause it to flow down and out over the roll 13.

To protect the gaps between the covers, we provide flaps 16, which overlap adjoining cover beads, and so protect the interspaces shingleor tilewise against the rain. In practice it is preferred to give the flaps a little curvature downward at the sides to facilitate the flow of rain therefrom. The upper ends of the flaps are rolled to form eyes 17, corresponding in diameter to the rolls 14, and together with the covers are strung on a rod 18, and turnable thereon. Normally this rod should set well back near the front of the feeder. the better to exclude rain and snow. A further protection against the elements is provided by the outside cleat 19, tending to shed water over onto the covers. The cleat would, however, prevent the covers being turned up to a gravity-held position when the trough is cleaned, so a special mounting for the hinge-rod is provided and will now be described.

At each end of the feeder body is bolted a flat steel bracket 20, each provided with an angular slot 21 to receive the hinge-rod, and allow it to move from end to end of the slot. Normally the rod lies at the bottom, inner end of each slot, but when it is desired to clean the trough, the rod is drawn upwardly and forwardly, and stops at the outer end of each slot. The whole gang of covers and flaps may then be lifted and turned back to the position shown in Fig. 3, where they are self-supported by gravity. When an intermediate bracket is needed, as more especially in the case of long feeders, the bracket is flanged at 22, and bolted to the front face of the feeder.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. Combined with a feeder having a feedbox and outwardly disposed trough, a hingerod mounted adjacent to the feed-box, and gang of covers and alternate flaps hung turnably on the rod, the adjacent sides of the covers being folded upwardly and inwardly, and the flaps normally resting on such folded sides.

2. Combined with a feeder having a feedboX and outwardly disposed trough, a gang of trough-covers, a rod on which they are hingedly mounted, and supporting brackets for said rod slotted to permit outward movement of the rod bodily, the slots being shouldered to hold the rod by gravity in its normal position.

3. Combined with a feeder having a feedbOX and outwardly disposed trough, a gang of independent trough-covers, a supporting hinge-rod on which they may turn, interposed fiaps similarly hinged and overlapping the adjacent sides of the covers, and supports for the rod adapted to hold the covers and flaps in normal position, and allow them to be moved bodily outwardly and turned upwardly and back against the feedbox for convenience in cleaning the trough.

In testimony whereof we afiiX our signatures.

JESSE J. RICKEY. RAY W. FRANKLIN. 

